After watching the Book of Eli, I realize that I don't really have a large fixed blade survival knife/sword/machete. I think I need one. I would prefer either an El Salvador or Bolo style machete or a straight blade katana/ninja style. It needs to be tough and practical without costing a fortune. Ideally, I'd like to spend under 400 bucks. I also want a U.S. made blade, although blades from places like Japan, Germany, and Switzerland would be OK too.

I really don't need the blade to be "ornate" or "dressed up." I prefer is was not because I don't want to pay extra for that.

I saw an ad or an article for a U.S. made katana style survival blade (sword?) that was really impressive. The only problem is, I can't remember where I saw it, or what the blade was called. I remember seeing either pictures or video of a guy bending the blade over in a vice to like 90 degrees and seeing it return to its normal shape. There were also tests where the guy was hacking up objects that I thought would harm the blade but it didn't. I remember thinking "I want one of those." I also remember the price being between 300 and 400 dollars. Does this ring any bells for anyone???

I have searched thorugh every gun magazine, Field and Stream, and Popular Mechanics I have. I was sure it was in one of those... but I can't find it.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I have looked at these, but they are not quite the quality of the one I really like:

Go to Ace Hardware and buy one. You can use it to whack weeds, too. If you cannot find one at your local Ace, send me $300 and I'll buy one for you and send it to you, with free postage thrown in just because I'm a nice guy.

How do you like the Gerber? I was worried it might be a little too light. I was looking for a blade that is at least 1/8" thick. I thought the extra heft would help get the zombie heads off. If the heads dangle but don't come off, the zombies still come after you... right? :p

I like the Woodsman's Pals, and I think they are ideally suited to what they were designed for; chopping brush and light hatchet work. I don't think they are ideally suited to zombie slaying. I would like a blade that can wound even if it grazes, and a point that can be driven through. I would like more reach as well. You want to stay out of that arms length reach of a zombie. I think a Katana/Ninja style with a heavy (3/16") blade can clear brush and do light chopping when needed, but would excel if the zombies came for me. Also, I would look sharp carrying a Katana when I wear my special Ninja boots that allow me to climb walls. :lmao:

I bought a Gerber Gator Machete at Sportsman's Warehouse this weekend. I tried to put a decent edge on the thing. I am not very impressed. The blade is too thin and there is not enough "heft" to it. I think I am going to try a machete from Cold Steel or Ontario next. I am also trying to buy one of each of the Ontario Black Wind swords that are discontinued. So far, I have had no luck.

I guess I'll aproach this like everything else I do. I'll keep buying stuff until I find what I like. That gets expensive after awhile.

By the way, the Cold Steel swords are also made in China. I am convinced that those are the videos I remember seeing, so I guess I was wrong about them being U.S. made blades. The Ontario swords are U.S. made if I can find them.

I thought Cold Steel made all their own stuff? I know they make their own machetes. They have a video up on Youtube that shows them going through the manufacturing process and them testing them throughout, but I thought they made ALL their own blades.
Hmm. You know what they say about assumption, eh. :ponder:

The katanas are pretty, but are designed very specific in their function. I still prefer something with more heft to it, like the machete or roman short sword, has more functionality in more situations and the extra weight gives you more momentum with each swing to really go through bone, wood, etc.